Königlich Preuss. Domänenkellerei - Rauenthaler Langenstück Riesling Auslese Cabinet 1911

This is an exceptionally rare wine that represents one of the great white wine classics from the period before the First World War. As it is an extremely rare collector's item, there are unfortunately no current tasting notes available. The following information is therefore based on the available product data and general historical background on the winemaker, location and rating.

1. Wine description and origin

Producer:
The "Königlich Preuss. Domänenkellerei" was the state winery of Prussia. These wineries (also known as "state wineries") were known for their extremely storable and high-quality Rieslings. They are the historical predecessors of today's Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach.

Vineyard:
The wine comes from the single vineyard Rauenthaler Langenstück in the Rheingau. This altitude (around 255 metres above sea level) is one of the highest in the Rheingau. The soils consist of coloured slate and volcanic rock, which makes for elegant, acidic wines with harmonious aromas. The site is named after the elongated shape of the terrain, as it was already mentioned in the 15th century as "Langenstuck".

Prädikat & Ausbau:
"Cabinet Auslese" was a historical designation before the German wine law reform of 1971 and was used for particularly fine Auslese wines. A "Cabinet" Auslese was a particularly select, high-quality wine that could also be stored ("Cabinet" means "collection" in the sense of a cellar treasure trove). The alcohol content is given as a. 10 % vol..

2. Historical classification & Vintage 1911

The 1911 vintage in Germany was a top vintage before the First World War, comparable to the legendary vintages of 1921, 1937, 1959, 1971 and 2001. It was a very warm summer, which created perfect conditions for ripe Riesling grapes with a very high natural sugar content. Such bottles are extremely rare today, as most of the wines from this period were drunk or destroyed during the two world wars or in the post-war turmoil.

3. Sensory categorisation

Based on the typical characteristics of a mature, "noble sweet" Riesling from a top vintage, the following would be expected from this bottle:

• Colour: Deep, bright golden yellow to amber reflections (a sign of exceptional ripeness).

• Nose: A complex, multi-layered bouquet with classic notes of ripe peach, apricot jam, honey and distinct minerality, with petrol notes often developing. The "noble rot" (Botrytis cinerea) component would be an integral part here.

• Palate: Despite its age, the wine should show impressive suppleness and fullness on the palate. The tannins have long since broken down. The remaining fine acidity perfectly balances the concentrated, caramel-like sweetness, giving the wine freshness and an extremely long, spicy finish reminiscent of candied citrus fruits and gingerbread.

• Bottling: The high fill level of 2.5 cm below the cork indicates exceptionally good storage for more than 100 years. The capsule and label are also described as being in good condition.

4. Storage and drinking recommendation

• Condition:The wine is now (2026) at the absolute peak of its maturity or close to it. It should not be stored any longer, as it is now maturing rapidly. The sales note "Available immediately" also indicates the end of the optimum drinking window.

• Temperature: Serve chilled, but not too cold, at an optimum temperature of 10-12 °C.

• Decanting: The wine should be decanted very carefully to remove the mature sediment that has formed over the years.

• Enjoyment: This wine is a dessert in its own right. Ideally, it should be paired with blue cheese (Roquefort, Stilton), foie gras, sweet tarts or on its own after a special meal.

5. Market relevance and price

The wine is an extremely sought-after collector's item that only very rarely appears on the market. It is offered by specialised dealers at a price of around €3,750.00 per 0.75-litre bottle, a clear indication of its uniqueness and collector's value.

To summarise: The Königlich Preuss. Domänenkellerei - Rauenthaler Langenstück Riesling Auslese Cabinet 1911 is a historical relic of German viticulture. It is not just a drink, but a piece of living history from the heyday of the Rheingau, a witness to a lost era and an absolute jewel for the ambitious collector and connoisseur.